Friendly Persuasion (1956 film)

thumb Friendly Persuasion is 1956 film in which the pacifist attitude of a Quaker family is tested as a result of the American Civil War. Directed by William Wyler. Written by Michael Wilson, based on the 1945 novel by Jessamyn West Jess Birdwell I'm just his father, Eliza, not his conscience. A man's life ain't worth a hill of beans except he lives up to his own conscience. I don't want to die. I don't think I could kill anyone if I tried. But I have to try, so long as other people have to. Prof. Waldo Quigley I want you to know, sir, I honor your prejudices - -um, uh, convictions. Little Jess Birdwell She's a snake on stilts! Dialogue Rebel soldier: Peach pie! Little Jess Birdwell: It's rattlesnake pie. Rebel soldier: Best rattlesnake pie I'' ever tasted. Cast Gary Cooper - Jess Birdwell Dorothy McGuire - Eliza Birdwell Anthony Perkins - Josh Birdwell Richard Eyer - Little Jess Birdwell Robert Middleton - Sam Jordan Phyllis Love - Mattie Birdwell Peter Mark Richman - Gard Jordan (as Mark Richman) Walter Catlett - Professor Quigley Richard Hale - Purdy Joel Fluellen - Enoch Theodore Newton - Major Harvey John Smith - Caleb Cope Marjorie Main - the widow Hudspeth Edna Skinner - Opal Hudspeth Marjorie Durant - Pearl Hudspeth Frances Farwell - Ruby Hudspeth Taglines WHAT FUN YOU'LL HAVE...AND WHAT A FAMILY! YOU'LL FEEL AS IF YOU ARE A PART OF IT...OR WOULD LIKE TO BE! (re-release print ad - all caps) You'll love SAMANTHA, THE GOOSE! (re-release print ad - all caps) It Will Pleasure You in a Hundred Ways! Try FRIENDLY PERSUASION: It's Powerful! When You Looked At Jess Birdwell YOU LOOKED UP Jess is a big man and he walks the Indiana earth in a big way... a man of few words and many strengths... a man born with the gift of laughter and the knack for love, a power for good, a man who doesn't hold with killing. But now Jess faces a big decision -- to keep faith with what he lives by -- or to fight for what he loves... Only so great a theme could make so great a motion picture! Anthony Perkins, the most exciting screen discovery since James Dean! Pat Boone, the sensational Dot Recording artist, can be heard singing the big hit title-song, "Friendly Persuasion" External links 0049233 Category:American drama films Category:Period films Category:1956 American films Category:1956 English-language films Category:American Civil War films Category:Anti-war films Category:Films about Christianity Category:Films based on American novels Category:Films directed by William Wyler Category:Films set in Indiana Category:Palme d'Or winners